A few weeks ago we gave you one of the first exclusive experience reports of the new Hyundai Verna, after driving the seventh generation model in Dubai. With just about a month or so left for its launch in India, we drove the India-spec Verna from Coimbatore to Kodaikanal.

After driving the fully-loaded left-hand drive overseas version of the new Verna, the first point that struck me as I step into the domestic production variant is the interiors. The same quality of the interiors is a big plus with the new Verna. Actually, that is not true…the Indian version gets more goodies like wood trim, a rear view camera view embedded in the rear view mirror and a cluster ionizer to ensure clean air inside the cabin.

The spin

I drove the new Verna along the 180 kms route to Kodaikanal and back, and I must admit both the 1.6-litre petrol and diesel variants are equally impressive in their own ways. The drive was thorough a mix of city, highway and hilly sections and unlike some of the other sedans in the segment where I would have had a clear engine preference, with the new Verna, the only clear choice I could make was with the transmission.

My choice was the six-speed manual gearbox over the automatic, whether it was the petrol or the diesel. Both the engines are amongst the most powerful in this segment and are quite quick on the uptake, but the automatic gearbox doesn't get to be quick enough to allow you to get the best out of the mill.

Under the hood

Very much like the Kappa 2, the 1,591cc petrol engine with VTVT (variable valve timing) feels like it is one of the quietest and most refined in the class. Offering a peak power of 123.05 PS at 6,300 rpm and maximum torque of 15.8 KgM at 4,200 rpm, the 1-6 petrol is easy to get all excited about, especially if you are driving on a ghat section with some tight, blind turns and swoopy hairpin bends.

The new Verna's engine prowess is also hamstrung a bit by its tendency to understeer when pushed hard. With the steering also not offering the kind of feedback that you will feel confident being with during high speeds, there were occasions when I had to tone down my expectations in the hills. But, there is no sense of unease or lack of confidence when you are driving at legal speeds or on the highway.

Straight line stability is excellent and with the slick shifting gearbox near at hand, there need be no wrestling with the stick to stay in the right power band for any road condition. Of course, the one point that needs to be highlighted is that the six gear slot is unlikely to be used very much, though it might offer the new Verna buyer some bragging rights.

The 1,582cc diesel engine can be much more fun to drive, thanks to its 26.5 KgM of peak torque available from as low as 1,900 to 2,750 rpm. The engine features some high-end tech like hydraulic lash adjusters and suctions control valves in addition to the variable geometry turbocharger that together enable it to offer a fairly dynamic performance. Peak power is a better than the petrol 128.08 PS at 4,000 rpm.

With loads of torque available the engine stays within the favourite easy revving band even when left in the third gear slot for average city driving conditions. The India-spec new Verna will also be offered with a 1,396cc four-cylinder petrol engine that has a peak power of 107 PS and torque of 13.8 KgM, and a similar sized 1.4-litre (1,396cc), four-cylinder diesel engine that generates 90 PS of power and a yummy 22.43 KgM of torque.

With such a range of engines, Hyundai should be able to cover a big price band with its new Verna. There is a considerable equipment to woo the buyer too, with the only thing missing to pit it against more expensive sedans being the sunroof.

The previous Verna already had the numbers on its side, the new Verna has the performance potential, and finally also the looks, to rear-end the competition.

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